Senior Planning Associate — Flexible, Manchester

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Manchester; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Career progression

Supportive culture

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is supporting a national UK law firm recruiting a Planning Senior Associate or Managing Associate in Manchester. The role offers £75,000 to £105,000 plus bonus and benefits, with 3–8 years' PQE and involvement in a broad spectrum of development work.

You will join a Planning and Environment team, advising on live projects, supporting growth, and providing pragmatic commercial guidance across multiple sectors from concept to delivery. Flexible working is available.

Qualifications

• Planning law experience (3–8 PQE) and ability to advise on planning issues.
• Experience drafting/negotiating Section 106 and highways agreements.
• Experience supporting due diligence in property or corporate transactions.
• Comfort with contentious planning work (inquiries/hearings and JR).
• Desirable experience with DCOs or large regeneration schemes.
• Strong commercial awareness and practical, solutions-led approach.
• Collaborative style and commitment to high client service standards.

Responsibilities

• Advising on planning and associated law with clear, commercial guidance.
• Drafting and negotiating Section 106 and highways agreements.
• Supporting due diligence for property and corporate transactions.
• Advising on contentious planning matters, including inquiries/hearings and judicial reviews.
• Contributing to business development and supporting team growth.

Skills

Planning law

Section 106 agreements

Highways and statutory agreements

Due diligence

Contentious planning matters

DCOs and regeneration schemes

Commercial awareness

Client service

Job description

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is supporting a national UK law firm recruiting a Planning Senior Associate or Managing Associate in Manchester. The role offers £75,000 to £105,000 plus bonus and benefits, with 3–8 years' PQE and involvement in a broad spectrum of development work.

You will join a Planning and Environment team, advising on live projects, supporting growth, and providing pragmatic commercial guidance across multiple sectors from concept to delivery. Flexible working is available.